I’ll Carry On remembering
Long before she began starring in EastEnders, Dame Barbara was one of Britain’s most prolific actresses.
Since The Belles of St Trinian’s in 1954, Dame Barbara has appeared in more than 30 films including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Too Hot to Handle; and Not Now, Darling; and nearly 60 stage productions beginning with Cinderella in Golders Green, North West London, in 1950.
But it was her appearances in 10 of the Carry On films that made her a national treasure – and gave her memories of her co-stars she’ll never forget. KENNETH WILLIAMS
My first scene on my first Carry On film – Carry On Spying – was with Kenny and I fluffed my lines!
Kenny, wearing a fake beard, said snootily: “Oooh, da-ah-ling, do please get it right.”
Having heard he had fallen out with the actress Fenella Fielding, I pulled myself up to my full 4 feet 10-and-a-half inches and replied: “Don’t you yell at me with Fenella Fielding’s m***e hair stuck round your chops. I won’t bloody stand for it!”
I thought I’d get thrown off set, but he flared those famous nostrils, and clapped his hands. “Haaaahh,” he said, grinning broadly. “Isn’t she wonderful?” CHARLES HAWTREY
We were on Carry On Spying and Charlie collapsed. He was as white as a sheet. Thinking he had fainted, I called for someone to get some brandy, but boss Gerald Thomas said: “You’re joking, aren’t you, Barbara? It’s the brandy that’s done it!”
I went over with a bucket, in case he felt like throwing up. I shouldn’t have bothered. “Why don’t you p*** off?” he slurred. “You’re always trying to be so nice to everyone!” SID JAMES
I’d heard nothing of Sid’s reputation as a ladies’ man when we’d just filmed a scene for Carry On Henry and Sid handed me what looked like a prune. “I’ve bought you a present,” he explained, before sticking his tongue into the passion fruit and licking it, slowly and suggestively.
Next we were at dinner while working on the show Carry on London, when he whispered: “Do you know something, Barbara, they’re not as big as they look on screen – your bosoms.”
“It’s called acting, darling,” I replied.
Months later the inevitable happened one night after dinner – and he said: “Oh, Barbara, I wish you were seeing me as I used to be.” Sid was crazily, madly, in love with me.
When it ended he told me he would last only one year without me. Sixteen months later he died.
I sat in my front room and sobbed my heart out until my eyes stung and my throat ached.